Combining two photos side by side is a fundamental yet powerful photo editing technique. Whether you want to create a before-and-after comparison, showcase related images together, or simply get creative with visual storytelling, knowing how to place photos next to each other is a valuable skill. While it might seem simple, many find themselves unsure of the best approach. This guide will walk you through six straightforward methods, perfect for beginners, to effortlessly put photos side by side and enhance your visual content.
6 Simple Ways to Display Photos Side by Side
Method 1: Leveraging Collage Maker Applications
Collage Maker
“Collage Maker” isn’t the name of one specific application, but rather a broad category encompassing numerous mobile apps designed specifically for creating photo collages. These apps offer a user-friendly interface and various templates to easily arrange your photos. Here’s a general step-by-step guide on using Collage Maker apps to create side-by-side images:
- Launch the App: Begin by opening your chosen Collage Maker application and look for a button labeled “Collage” or “Grid” on the main screen. Tap this to start your collage creation process.
- Select Your Photos: Choose the two images you intend to place side by side in your collage. Once you have selected your photos, typically a “Next” or “Import” button will appear on the screen. Tap this to proceed.
- Choose a Template and Customize: Browse through the available collage templates and select one that suits your needs, often a simple layout for two side-by-side photos. You can usually customize aspects like the aspect ratio and border thickness. Many apps also allow you to add background colors, patterns, or even a third image as a background for the spaces between your photos.
- Edit Individual Photos: Once in the editing mode, you can fine-tune each photo within the collage individually. Zoom in or out, drag to reposition, and apply filters or text to each image section to enhance your visual story.
- Finalize and Save: When you are satisfied with your collage arrangement and edits, confirm your changes to merge the selected photos into a single combined image. You may have further options to edit this final image before saving it to your device.
Method 2: Utilizing Google Photos for Quick Combinations
Use Google Photos
Google Photos offers another accessible and efficient method for combining photos. This method is particularly convenient for Android users and those already integrated into the Google ecosystem. The process is straightforward:
- Open Google Photos: Launch the Google Photos application on your smartphone or access it via web browser to view your photo library.
- Select Your Images: Long-press on the first photo you wish to include in your side-by-side creation. Then, select the second photo by simply tapping on it. Circles will appear on the photo previews indicating your selections.
- Create a Collage: Tap the + icon, typically located in the top right corner of the screen, and from the options that appear, choose “Collage.”
- Automatic Collage Creation: Google Photos will automatically merge your selected images into a collage. This method is incredibly quick and simple, however, it offers limited customization options for border thickness or template selection compared to dedicated collage maker apps.
Method 3: Employing the Samsung Built-in Editing Tool
If you are a Samsung Galaxy user, you already have a powerful photo editing tool built right into your device, which can easily create photo collages. Here’s how to use it to put two pictures side by side:
- Access Your Gallery: Open the Samsung Gallery app and select the photos you want to combine.
- Initiate Collage Creation: Tap the 3-dot icon, usually found in the “More” options, and select Create > Collage.
- Customize Your Layout: Samsung’s built-in editor provides tools to customize the collage layout. You can adjust spacing, borders, and choose from various templates to achieve your desired side-by-side effect.
This method leverages the convenience of your phone’s native features for a quick and easy way to put photos side by side without needing to download any additional apps.
Method 4: Using Instagram Layouts in Stories
Surprisingly, Instagram, primarily known for social sharing, also offers a handy feature for creating side-by-side photos using its Layout feature within Stories. This is a great option for quickly creating visuals with a standard aspect ratio that you can then save to your phone.
- Open Instagram: Tap the + icon, typically located at the top right corner, to start a new post.
- Select Stories: Choose “Stories” from the options at the bottom of the screen. Enter the Stories creation mode by tapping the camera icon.
- Choose Layout Option: Look for and tap the Layout icon, often represented by a grid-like square. This will allow you to choose a layout for your story. Select a layout that is suitable for two side-by-side images. You can then either take new photos directly within the layout or select existing images from your phone’s gallery. Note that the number of photos you can add depends on the specific layout you choose, with options for two, three, four, or more images.
Once you have your photos arranged in the layout, you can simply save the story to your phone as an image, similar to saving a Stories video.
Method 5: Utilizing iPhone Shortcuts for App-Free Combination
Use iPhone to comebine image
For iPhone users who prefer not to download extra apps, Apple’s Shortcuts app offers a powerful and versatile solution. This built-in app can be configured to create a custom shortcut for combining images side by side. Here’s how to set it up:
- Open the Shortcuts App: Launch the Shortcuts app on your iPhone and tap the + icon, usually in the upper right corner, to create a new shortcut.
- Add “Select Photos” Action: In the search bar at the bottom, type “Select Photos.” Tap on the “Select Photos” action that appears. Tap the arrow to expand its options and enable “Select Multiple.”
- Add “Combine Images” Action: Return to the search bar and type “Combine Images.” Select the “Combine Images” action. Choose your preferred combination method, such as “Horizontally” for side-by-side. You can also adjust the spacing between photos if desired.
- Add “Save to Photo Album” Action: Search for “Save to Photo Album” and select this action. No further settings are typically needed for this step.
- Customize and Add to Home Screen (Optional): You can rename your shortcut for easy access and even customize its icon. To add it to your home screen for quick use, tap the share icon, scroll down and tap “Add to Home Screen” > “Done.”
- Run Your Shortcut: The shortcut is now ready. To combine photos, simply tap the shortcut icon, select the two images you want to combine, and tap “Add.”
Your combined side-by-side photo will be automatically saved to your iPhone’s Photos app, offering a seamless and app-free solution.
Method 6: Using Online Tools like TinyWow for Web-Based Combination
TinyWow combine image
If you don’t have an iPhone or prefer not to download apps, or need a solution accessible from any computer, online tools are a great alternative. TinyWow is a convenient example, but many similar websites offer image combination features.
- Visit TinyWow Website: Go to the TinyWow webpage in your web browser.
- Upload Photos: Click the “Add photos” button and select the two images from your computer that you want to combine. To select multiple photos at once, you can typically hold down the “Ctrl” key (or “Command” key on Mac) while clicking on each image.
- Upload and Process: Click “Open” to upload your selected photos to the TinyWow website.
- Download Your Combined Image: Wait a few seconds for the upload and processing to complete. Then, click the “Download Image” button. You may need to complete a “ReCAPTCHA” verification before the download begins.
Keep in mind that online tools like TinyWow often have temporary storage policies. TinyWow, for example, typically stores your processed files for about an hour. Remember to download your combined image promptly after creation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Can I Create a Photo Collage with Multiple Photos?
For creating collages with more than two photos, Collage Maker apps and online tools are your most versatile options. These platforms are designed to handle multiple images and offer templates for various arrangements beyond just side-by-side. Explore different apps and websites to find features and layouts that suit your specific collage needs.
Is It Possible to Shorten a Live Photo?
Yes, you can edit a Live Photo just like any standard photo or video. You can trim its duration, mute the sound, select a different key photo as the thumbnail, and even convert it to a still image if you no longer want the live motion effect.
Can I Combine Two Pictures Without Downloading Third-Party Applications?
Yes, as demonstrated in this guide, you can combine photos without third-party apps using Google Photos (on Android), Samsung’s built-in editor, and iPhone Shortcuts. While these options may offer less advanced customization than dedicated apps, they provide convenient solutions for basic side-by-side photo combinations directly on your devices.
See more: how to convert RAW To JPEG?
Conclusion
This guide has explored six distinct methods to put photos side by side, catering to various devices and user preferences. The best way to master these techniques is to practice them directly. Open your device or preferred online tool and follow the steps outlined. Hands-on experience will solidify your understanding and make combining photos a quick and easy part of your photo editing workflow. If you encounter any further questions, don’t hesitate to seek additional assistance.
